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Paraguay's qualification for New Zealand 2008 may have
surprised a lot of people, but not coach Carlos Baez and his
players. The
Albirroja squad at the South American qualifying
tournament in Chile was short on years but not experience, with no
fewer than 17 of the 20 players having already made their debuts in
Paraguay's top flight.

Right from the start, Paraguay decided it would be all or
nothing in the qualifiers, and their record of four wins and three
defeats in Chile is testimony to that. The team's impressive
forward play (22 goals in 7 games) not only made them joint top
scorers alongside champions Colombia, but it also secured them a
berth at FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup New Zealand 2008 despite
conceding an incredible 17 goals along the way.

While their defence is clearly an area that needs improving,
their third-place finish - they were in the running for the title
right up to the last day - is proof that the
Guaraníes will be in New Zealand on merit.

QualificationParaguay hit the ground running in Group B, recording
high-scoring wins against Peru (4-1), Uruguay (4-1) and Venezuela
(6-0). Their first reverse, a 5-1 drubbing at the hands of Brazil
in their final group game, meant they proceeded to the final phase
as runners-up from their section.

A further defeat in their opening game of the second phase, this
time to Argentina (2-1), did not augur well for their qualification
prospects. However, Paraguay then exacted revenge on Brazil (4-1)
with another master class in attacking football, a result that
enabled them to book a place in New Zealand despite a painful
last-day rout at the hands of Colombia (7-2).

The coachBorn on 1st November 1958, Carlos Baez was a respected
professional who spent his entire playing career at Cerro Porteno,
representing his country at both youth and senior level. After
serving his coaching apprenticeship with several provincial sides,
he managed a string of first division outfits, including 12 de
Octubre, Sportivo 2 de Mayo, Guarani, 3 de Febrero and former club
Cerro Porteno, before taking up the reins of the national
women's youth sides in August 2007.

Star playersWithout question, the deadly strike partnership of Karen Ruiz
Diaz and Rebeca Fernandez will feature prominently in New Zealand.
The latter, who will turn 17 during the tournament and plays her
football with Asuncion side Olimpia, was the top-scorer at the
Sudamericano with seven goals. For her part, Fernandez,
who is a month younger and plays for city rivals Cerro Porteno,
finished joint third top-scorer in Chile with five goals. Between
them they accounted for more than half their side's goal tally
at the event (12 of 22).

What they said..."We deserved better than third place, as we lost an
incredible game to Argentina after missing three penalties. We
really had a team capable of competing for that title, but it
wasn't to be. Nevertheless, we're happy to have qualified,
and we'll go to New Zealand ready to face a similar
challenge," Paola Genes, Paraguay midfielder.